Sunday, October 14, 2012

TA Report: Mansfield Hollow State Park

Observations/Information: I represented NEMBA at the Mansfield Hollow Cyclocross On Saturday. I competed in the single speed race and, despite being totally under geared on my Monocog I did alright. Racing cyclocross on a mountain bike is fun. There are places on the course where you'll have an advantage over the riders on cyclocross bikes (due to both your bike and your skill set), and places where you'll be at a disadvantage, and you'll need to base your strategy on that. It takes brains.

Cyclocross is fun and generally pretty low-key (although the fastest racers are as serious as any you'll ever see), and it's a good way to try out racing. One guy wore a chicken suit (see photo). In my race the winners were awarded not trophies but beer. I was a lot closer to last place than first (DFL minus two), but I won a six pack for being the first and only finisher on a mountain bike.

Rides and Events

Trail Status

Our Mission

The Central Connecticut chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (CCT NEMBA) is a community of mountain bikers and trail advocates dedicated to advancing the sport of mountain biking in Connecticut. Since 1997 we have worked with land managers to build, maintain, and improve legal trails and support appropriate trail use. We organize rides, offer educational trail schools to all trail users, and build relationships within the mountain bike community of riders, trail builders, shops, advocates, and others. We support mountain biking because it is a fun, healthy activity that all ages and abilities can enjoy.